Sewing Hexies ~ The Makings of a Flower Garden Quilt

Well, another weekend has come and gone and though I didn't get much time to sew I did manage to get at least a couple flowers done to show you all what I'm working on.
First of all I made this pattern so that I could print lots of little hexies all at one time. I made 3 copies of them to get started with.

You can get the pattern HERE.


After printing a page of these off I simply cut one full hexagon out (include the seam allowance when you cut).

Next I took that hexagon and traced it on to a piece of template material. I had some that I had purchased a long time ago but you can use cardboard, a paperbag or anything else that you can come up with. Just remember if you are going to cut the fabric with a rotary cutter you will need something that is pretty sturdy.


Now that I've got a template I picked some fabric out and traced my pattern onto it. You will need 1 center hexie and 6 more for the flower petals.

Cut those out and you're almost ready to begin stitching.

Grab the remaining paper patterns that you copied. With these ones you will be cutting them all out but you can remove the outer seam allowance ring. You will only need the inner hexie.
Lay your fabric hexie right side down and then pin one paper hexie in the center.

Now you are ready to stitch!
Fold fabric edge over the top of the paper and then baste stitch all the way around. Finish with a knot and cut the extra off. This basting stitch will be removed in the end. It just allows for easier sewing while assembling the flower.

Once you get enough hexies to make a flower you can begin sewing them together. 

Place the center hexie and a flower petal right sides together and stitch. ( I use a whip stitch! Not sure that that is the correct way but it works for me.)
Continue sewing more petals to the center and as you add more you will need to stitch up the sides of the petals too.
Once you have a hexie completely surrounded by other hexies you can cut the basting stitch and then remove the paper pattern from it.

Backside of flowers

See how I have removed the paper pattern from the flower centers?
The rest of the paper pieces will stay until they have been joined by more hexies.


I hope this little tutorial was helpful and not too confusing!